Kiper has Locker at No. 5 on his draft board

Unfortunately, you can’t see No. 6 and beyond unless you pay for ESPN Insider, but draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. says Washington quarterback Jake Locker will be the fifth-best prospect in the NLF draft if he leaves school a year early. Check out the top of his draft board here.

Kiper calls Locker a “developing talent whose physical tools are unmatched.” Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen is the only quarterback listed ahead of Locker. Kiper moved Locker up from No. 9 a week earlier, but says the junior “could and maybe should return to Washington.”

Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian agrees. On Tuesday, he expressed optimism that Montlake Jake will return for his senior year.